Palermo: The Libyan News Agency and the Italian news agency Italpress signed an agreement in Palermo to enhance cooperation and strengthen media partnership between Italy and Libya. The agreement aims to foster a more accurate and objective portrayal of both countries through the exchange of news, content, and information.
According to Libyan News Agency, the agreement was signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Libyan News Agency, Abdulbasit Ahmed Aboudia, and the Director of Italpress, Gaspari Borsellino. The signing took place in the presence of key officials, including the Director of the Department of Foreign Media at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Government of National Unity, Bader Shneiba, the Libyan Deputy Consul in Palermo, Kamal Balashhar, the Consular Attach© at the Libyan Consulate in Palermo, Faiq Aboud, and the Middle East News Officer at Italpress, Massimiliano Boccolini.
The agreement's core objective is to strengthen media cooperation by organizing joint training programs, workshops, and professional meetings. It also includes the exchange of journalists to support skills development and enhance professional expertise on both sides. Abdulbasit Aboudia highlighted the historical ties between Libya and Italy, emphasizing that the collaboration will deliver news related to Libya directly to Italy and Europe through a reliable source.
Aboudia further mentioned that the agreement presents an important opportunity in the field of training. The Libyan News Agency is keen on benefiting from Italpress's professional expertise by organizing training courses and professional meetings to develop the capabilities of Libyan journalists.
Gaspare Borsellino of Italpress noted that the partnership extends beyond news exchange. It aims to establish a long-term institutional partnership based on sharing expertise, content, and professional experiences. Borsellino stressed that the cooperation will provide documented and accurate information on pressing issues like migration from Libya to Europe, aiming to counter misleading reports.
Badr Shneiba, representing the Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, expressed support for the collaboration's goals, emphasizing the importance of combating fake news related to Libya. He invited media outlets and journalists to visit Libya and observe the true situation, assuring them of Libya's readiness to welcome professionals seeking to convey an accurate picture.
Both agencies affirmed that the cooperation agreement underscores the pivotal role of media as a communication bridge. It also initiates a new path of cooperation, viewing the Mediterranean region as a strategic space for dialogue, development, and mutual understanding. Italpress stated that this agreement marks a new milestone in its international expansion efforts, particularly focusing on the Mediterranean's significance.